Aboriginal Holistic Health

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have a holistic perception of health. According to the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO, 2011), Aboriginal health involves the physical, emotional, social, and cultural well-being of the individual and the entire community he belongs with. The involvement of the whole community is considered to be the key standard in helping each Indigenous individual achieve their optimum potential. Whilst the health mainstream is embraced by the growing population, it is not a hidden fact that the Indigenous community are facing barriers in achieving their holistic health needs. These barriers include social, cultural and structural elements. Primarily, there is a widespread hindrance on social determinants of health affecting …show more content…
Structural barrier is caused by the deeply entrenched institutional racism and white privilege in the Australian health system. Henry, Houston, and Mooney (2004) described the impacts of colonisation and its consequences to the well-being of Indigenous Australians. Little was done to address the impartiality they experience with the health system in spite of the government being aware of their current situation (Henry, Houston, & Mooney 2004). Conversely, the government’s effort to provide culturally secure services to Aboriginal people does not materialise due to inadequate funding (Henry, Houston, & Mooney 2004). In addition, the idea that the Indigenous Australians are able to cope with the changes within the health system is also a major drawback for them (McBain-Rigg and Veitch, 2011). Also, Marmot (2011) stressed the health suffrage of people situated at the bottom of the socioeconomic hierarchy due to the power imbalance in the system. The Indigenous group being marginalised, continue to experience the detrimental impact of structural barriers to